Information processing device

ABSTRACT

An information processing device includes a shooting lens assembly, a photoelectric conversion element, a memory, a display screen, a zoom designation device and an image size changing device (e.g., a controller). The photoelectric conversion element receives light from an object that is collected by the shooting lens assembly and converts the collected light into electrical signals representative of the object. The memory stores image data that is representative of objects. The display screen displays images of the object corresponding to the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion element or images corresponding to the image data stored in the memory. The image size changing device magnifies or reduces an image size of the image displayed on the display screen regardless of whether the image is being supplied from the photoelectric conversion element or the memory.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] The disclosure of the following priority application is hereinincorporated by reference:

[0002] Japanese Application No. 08-153783 filed Jun. 14, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an information processingdevice. In particular, the present invention relates to an informationprocessing device for taking and displaying pictures electronically, andwhen displayed, the pictures can be either enlarged or reduced.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] With the progress of electronic circuits, electronic cameras havebecome widespread which use photoelectric conversion elements toelectrically process picture images.

[0007] Such electronic cameras often have a liquid crystal display(LCD). The LCD, referred to as an electronic viewfinder, is used fordisplaying the picture images and provides real-time picture images ofthe objects or subjects being photographed by the user at the time oftaking the picture which will be referred to hereinafter as “shootingthe object”.

[0008]FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example of a conventional electroniccamera 81. In the electronic camera 81, light from the object thatenters through a shooting lens 101 is converted into electrical signalsby a photoelectric conversion element (not shown in the figure) and theelectrical signals are digitized to create image data.

[0009] Then, by displaying the image data on a LCD 106, the user canconfirm the object being photographed.

[0010] When a release switch 102 is pressed by the user, an image of theobject at that time is taken, i.e., shot, and image data correspondingto the image is stored in a built-in memory (not shown in the figure).

[0011] In addition, operating a focal length changing switch 107 changesthe focal length of the shooting lens 101, for example, between either a“NORMAL” mode or a “TELEPHOTO” mode. When the focal length changingswitch 107 is switched to the “TELEPHOTO” mode, the shooting lens 101 isadjusted so that the focal length becomes longer, and the image of theobject becomes larger than the image in the “NORMAL” mode and isdisplayed on the LCD 106. In such manner, images of the object can beshot in either the “NORMAL” or “TELEPHOTO” modes.

[0012] In addition, by operating a specified operating button (notshown), an image, shown by example in FIG. 17, that has been previouslytaken can be retrieved from storage in the memory and displayed on theLCD 106. Now, the image displayed on the LCD 106 (FIG. 17) can beenlarged as shown in FIG. 18 by pressing a zoom button 105.

[0013] Moreover, if a minus (−) switch 103 is pressed while the image inFIG. 18 is being displayed, an enlarged left side of the image in FIG.17 is displayed as shown in FIG. 19. Conversely, if a plus (+) switch104 is pressed while the image in FIG. 18 is being displayed, anenlarged right side of the image in FIG. 17 is displayed as shown inFIG. 20.

[0014] Furthermore, by pressing the zoom button 105 again while theimage in either FIGS. 18-20 is being displayed, the image reduced to itsoriginal size as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed.

[0015] As described above, the focal length can be changed at the timeof shooting the object by operating the focal length changing switch107. Thus, the object is displayed as enlarged on the LCD 106. Inaddition, when displaying images retrieved from the memory i.e., therecorded images, operating the zoom button 105 enlarges the imagedisplayed on the LCD 106.

[0016] However, for the similar operations to enlarge the imagedisplayed in the LCD 106, the focal length changing switch 107 is usedat the time of shooting images and the zoom button 105 is used at thetime of displaying the images retrieved from the memory. Therefore, aproblem arises in that the user can be easily confused by theseoperations. Thus, the user can easily misuse the electronic camera,e.g., by pressing the wrong button.

[0017] Moreover, due to providing two operating components, i.e., thezoom button 105 and the focal length changing switch 107, as describedabove, another problem is that the number of operating components isincreased. As a result, the external appearance of the device istainted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to eitherperform a zoom operation (either by changing the focal length of theshooting lens or by performing an electronic zoom) when shooting animage or to perform a zoom operation that changes the magnification ofthe image on the LCD when displaying a previously recorded image byoperating only one component. This results in a reduction of misusewithout increasing the number of operating parts.

[0019] The information processing device of embodiments of the presentinvention includes light collecting means for collecting light from anobject or subject, photoelectric conversion means for receiving lightfrom the object collected by the light collecting means and forconverting the received light into electrical signals, memory means forstoring specified image data and display means for displaying images ofthe object corresponding to the electrical signals converted by thephotoelectric conversion means or corresponding to specified image datarecorded in the memory means. The information processing device alsoincludes actuating means and zooming (e.g., enlarging/reducing) means.The actuating means is operated at a time to perform a zoom operationwith respect to the image projected by the light collecting means on thephotoelectric conversion means and also operates when displaying imagescorresponding to the image data recorded in the memory means, on thedisplaying means by enlarging or reducing (i.e, zooming) the images. Thezooming means enlarges or reduces the image on the display, in responseto actuating the actuating means, regardless of whether that image isbeing provided from the memory means or from the photoelectricconversion means.

[0020] In the information processing device of the present invention,when the actuating means is actuated at the time of shooting the object,the focal length of the light collecting means is changed.(Alternatively, the device can perform a digital zoom operation in whichthe focal length of the light collecting means remains fixed, but theimage provided from the photoelectric conversion means is electronicallyenlarged or reduced, e.g., by interpolation or thinning.) Also, when theactuating means is actuated at the time of displaying the imagecorresponding to the image data recorded in the memory means, the imagedisplayed on the display means is either enlarged or reduced. Therefore,misuse of the information processing device of the present invention canbe reduced and the number of operating components can be reduced aswell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an informationprocessing device of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the informationprocessing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing internal components of theinformation processing device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1and 2;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of theinformation processing device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1and 2;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a diagram representing a 2×2 pixel area when theinformation processing device of the present invention is in a “L” mode;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a diagram representing a 3×3 pixel area when theinformation processing device of the present invention is in a “H” mode;

[0027]FIG. 7 illustrates a display screen of the information processingdevice of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0028]FIG. 8 illustrates the display screen displaying an image in anormal size;

[0029]FIG. 9 illustrates the display screen displaying the image in FIG.8 in an enlarged size;

[0030]FIG. 10 illustrates the display screen displaying the image in thenormal size;

[0031]FIG. 11 illustrates the display screen displaying the image inFIG. 10 in a reduced size;

[0032]FIG. 12 illustrates the image in FIG. 10 when the reduced image iscentrally displayed;

[0033]FIG. 13A-13D illustrates a point-and-drag system for enlarging andreducing the image;

[0034]FIG. 14 illustrates another point-and-drag system for enlargingand reducing the image;

[0035]FIG. 15 is a front perspective view showing a conventionalelectronic camera;

[0036]FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the conventional electroniccamera shown in FIG. 15;

[0037]FIG. 17 shows an example of an image displayed on a liquid crystaldisplay of the conventional electronic camera shown in FIGS. 15 and 16;

[0038]FIG. 18 illustrates an enlarged image of the displayed image shownin FIG. 17;

[0039]FIG. 19 illustrates a left side of the enlarged displayed imageshown in FIG. 17; and

[0040]FIG. 20 illustrates a right side of the enlarged displayed imageshown in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] An information processing device of the present invention isexplained hereinafter with reference to the above-described figures.

[0042]FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an electronic camera1, which is one embodiment of an information processing device of thepresent invention. In the electronic camera 1 of the present invention,a side facing an object when shooting a picture, i.e., taking a picture,of the object is designated as a front face X1, and a side facing a useris designated as a rear face X2. On an upper section of the front faceX1, a viewfinder 2 used for confirming the scope of shooting the object,light collecting means in a form of a shooting lens 3 that receives anoptical image of the object and a strobe or flash 4, that emits light toilluminate the object, are provided.

[0043] On an upper portion of the rear face X2, the viewfinder 2 and aspeaker 5, that outputs sounds recorded by the electronic camera 1, areprovided. In addition, display means in a form of an LCD 6 is disposedon the rear face X2 and operation keys 7 are positioned below theviewfinder 2 and the speaker 5. A touch tablet 6A is arranged to cover asurface of the LCD 6. The touch tablet 6A outputs positional data thatcorresponds to a pointed position which is made by contacting the touchtablet 6A with a pen-type pointing member 41 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] The touch tablet 6A is fabricated of a transparent material, suchas glass or resin, and the user can observe through the touch tablet 6Athe image displayed on the LCD 6 disposed behind the touch tablet 6A.

[0045] The operation keys 7 are keys that are operated when previouslyrecorded images are to be displayed on the LCD 6. The user supplieselectrical signals through the operation keys 7 which are detected by aCPU 39 (FIG. 4).

[0046] A menu key 7A among the operation keys 7 is for displaying a menuscreen on the LCD 6. An execution key 7B is activated for displayingpreviously recorded information which is selected by the user.

[0047] A clear key 7C is activated for deleting the previously recordedinformation. A cancel key 7D is activated for canceling, i.e.,terminating, the display of the previously recorded information. Ascroll key 7E is activated for scrolling the screen in upward anddownward directions after a list of the recorded information isdisplayed on the LCD 6.

[0048] On the rear face X2, a slidable LCD cover 14 is provided whichprotects the LCD 6 when the LCD 6 is not in use. The LCD cover 14 coversthe LCD 6 as well as the touch tablet 6A when the LCD cover 14 is movedin an upward direction shown by arrow A. In addition, when the LCD cover14 is moved in the downward direction shown by arrow B, the LCD 6 andthe touch tablet 6A appear. A power switch 11 positioned on a secondside Y2, as shown in FIG. 2, is switched to an ON state by an arm 14A ofthe LCD cover 14.

[0049] On a top side Z of the electronic camera 1, shown in FIG. 2, amicrophone 8, that collects sound, and an earphone jack 9, to which aconventional earphone (not shown) can be connected, are provided.

[0050] On a first side Y1, shown in FIG. 1, a release switch 10, a zoombutton 15 and a continuous shooting mode changing switch 13 areprovided. The release switch 10 is activated when shooting the object.Actuating means in the form of the zoom button 15 is activated whenchanging a focal length of the shooting lens 3 when shooting the object.Zoom button 15 also is operated when changing magnification of thedisplayed image when displaying a previously recorded image. As usedherein, “zoom” refers to a process in which the image is either enlargedor reduced. Zooming can be accomplished mechanically (for example, bydriving a lens system to change the focal length of a shooting lens) orelectronically (for example, by interpolation or thinning, i.e., datamanipulation), which sometimes is referred to as “digital zoom.” Thecontinuous shooting mode changing switch 13 is activated to changeshooting modes before shooting the object. The zoom button 15 and thecontinuous shooting mode changing switch 13 are arranged below theviewfinder 2, shooting lens 3 and strobe 4 which are provided on theupper section of the front face X1.

[0051] On the second side Y2, shown in FIG. 2, a sound recording switch12, for activation when recording sounds, and the power switch 11 areprovided. The power switch 11 is arranged below the viewfinder 2, theshooting lens 3 and the strobe 4 which are provided on the upper part ofthe front face X1, similarly to the above described release switch 10and power switch 11. In addition, the sound recording switch 12 ispositioned on the second side Y2 at substantially the same height as therelease switch 10 on the first side Y1 to facilitate their use when theelectronic camera is held by either the user's right hand or the lefthand.

[0052] The respective heights of the release switch 10 and the soundrecording switch 12 can be different so that when one of the switches ispressed by the user's finger, the other switch is not accidentallypressed.

[0053] The continuous shooting mode switch 13 is used when settingwhether the image is to be shot for just one frame or for a specifiedplurality of frames when the user presses the release switch 10. Forexample, when the release switch 10 is pressed and the continuousshooting mode switch 13 is in a position labeled as “S” (i.e., a “S”mode), only one frame of picture is shot.

[0054] In addition, if the release switch 10 is pressed when thecontinuous shooting mode switch 13 is in a position labeled as “L”(i.e., a “L” mode), shooting is accomplished at a rate of 8 frames persecond while the release button is being pressed. In other words,shooting occurs in a slow, continuous shooting mode.

[0055] Moreover, if the release switch 10 is pressed when the continuousshooting mode switch 13 is switched to a position labeled as “H” (i.e.,a “H” mode), shooting is accomplished at a rate of 30 frames per secondwhile the release button is being pressed. In other words, shootingoccurs in a fast, continuous shooting mode.

[0056] The zoom button 15 has two built-in switches normally disposed inan OFF state. One switch moves to the ON state while a section of thezoom button 15 labeled “T” is being pressed. The other switch moves tothe ON state while another section of the zoom button 15 labeled “W” isbeing pressed. When neither of the switches is pressed (i.e., when thezoom button 15 is not activated), the two switches are in the OFF state.

[0057] When shooting the object, if the section of the zoom button 15labeled “T” is pressed, one switch moves to the ON state and, inresponse, the shooting lens 3 is moved to lengthen the focal length ofthe shooting lens 3. On the other hand, if the section of the zoombutton 15 labeled “W” is pressed when shooting the object, the otherswitch moves to the ON state and, in response, the shooting lens 3 ismoved to shorten the focal length.

[0058] By actuating the zoom button 15 in such manner, the focal lengthof the shooting lens 3 can be continuously changed while shooting theobject. Accordingly, by changing the focal length of the shooting lens3, the magnification of the image of the object displayed on the LCD 6also changes. The object is displayed as being enlarged if the focallength is lengthened and is displayed as being reduced if the focallength is shortened.

[0059] Furthermore, the zoom button 15 can be actuated to enlarge orreduce a previously recorded image being displayed on the LCD 6. Whilethe previously recorded image is being displayed, if the section of thezoom button 15 labeled “T” is pressed, one of the two switches of thezoom button 15 moves to the ON state. In response to the ON state of theswitch, the previously recorded image displayed on the LCD 6 isenlarged. On the other hand, by pressing the section of the zoom button15 labeled “W”, the other switch moves to the ON state and in response,the previously recorded image displayed on the LCD 6 is reduced.

[0060] Next, the internal structure of the electronic camera 1 of thepresent invention is described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing, byway of example, the internal structure of the electronic camera shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Photoelectric conversion means in the form of a CCD 20 isprovided on a rear portion of the shooting lens 3 and constructed tophotoelectrically convert the optical image of the object formed throughthe shooting lens into corresponding electronic image signals. Othertypes of photoelectric conversion devices can be used in place of theCCD 20.

[0061] Below the LCD 6, four cylinder-shaped batteries 21, such as AAdry cells, are disposed within the electronic camera 1 and supplyelectricity to appropriate components of the electronic camera 1. Also,below the LCD 6, a condenser 22 accumulates the electric charge neededfor the strobe or flash 4 to emit light and is arranged juxtaposed thebatteries 21.

[0062] Various control circuits that control each part of the electroniccamera 1 of the present invention are formed on a circuit board 23. Inaddition, among the circuit board 23, the LCD 6 and batteries 21, amemory card or recording medium 24 that can be inserted into or ejectedfrom the electronic camera 1 is provided. Various types of informationto be input to the electronic camera 1 can be recorded on the memorycard 24.

[0063] Moreover, an LCD switch 25 arranged adjacent to the power switch11 moves to the ON state only while a protruding part of the LCD switch25 is being pressed. When the LCD cover 14 is moved in the downwarddirection “B”, the LCD switch 25 is switched to the ON state by the arm14A of the LCD cover 14.

[0064] When the LCD cover 14 is moved in the upward direction “A”, thepower switch 11 can be operated by the user independently from the LCDswitch 25. While both the power switch 11 and the LCD switch 25 are inthe ON state, electricity is supplied to power the LCD 6. On the otherhand, when the LCD switch 25 is in the OFF state, i.e., when the LCDcover 14 is closed, the LCD switch 25 is in the OFF state. At this time,if the power switch 11 is in the ON state, electricity is supplied topower other circuits.

[0065] In addition, the memory card 24 is insertable into and ejectablefrom the electronic camera 1. However, a permanent memory device can beprovided on the circuit board 23 and various types of information can berecorded on the permanent memory device. It is also possible to outputthe various types of information recorded in the permanent memory deviceor the memory card 24 to an external personal computer or the likethrough an interface (not shown).

[0066] Next, an example of an electrical structure contained inside theelectronic camera 1 is described with reference to a block diagram shownin FIG. 4. The CCD 20 that includes a plurality of pixelsphotoelectrically converts an optical image formed on each pixel intoelectrical image signals. A digital signal processor 33 (referredhereafter as DSP) supplies horizontal-CCD driving pulses to CCD 20 andcontrols a CCD driving circuit 34 (VDRV) to supply vertical-CCD drivingpulses to the CCD 20.

[0067] A correlated double sampling circuit 31 (referred hereinafter asCDS) is controlled by the CPU 39 and samples the electrical imagesignals that the CCD 20 photoelectrically converts. Then, the sampledsignals are amplified to a predetermined level with an automatic gaincontrol circuit 31A (referred hereinafter as AGC) An analog/digitalconverting circuit 32 (referred hereinafter as A/D converting circuit)digitizes the signals sampled at the CDS 31 and supplies them to the DSP33.

[0068] A compression/decompression circuit and memory controller 35controls a data bus that interconnects the DSP 33, a buffer memory 36and the memory card 24. The electrical image signals supplied to the DSP33 are temporarily stored in appropriate data areas, which are describedin detail below, of the buffer memory 36. The image data stored in thedata area of the buffer memory 36 is read, and after compressing theimage data, the compressed image data (referred hereinafter as “shotimage data”) is recorded in a shot image recording area of the memorycard 24.

[0069] The buffer memory 36 is divided into a data area and a framememory area. The data area of the buffer memory 36 is utilized, inaddition to temporarily maintaining the data being processed, to reducedifferences of input and output speed of data to and from the memorycard 24 and processing speed of the CPU 39, DSP 33, or the like. Theframe memory area is used as a frame memory that maintains values ofeach pixel of the LCD 6. A skilled artisan would appreciate that thedata area could be a plurality of data areas and that the frame memoryarea could be a plurality of frame memory areas. Further, other areasdescribed herein can be construed as singular or plural.

[0070] The compression/decompression circuit and memory controller 35stores the image data supplied to the DSP 33 into the frame memory areaof the buffer memory 36 and displays the image data on the LCD 6. Then,after reading the shot image data from the memory card 24 anddecompressing the shot image data, the compression/decompression circuitand memory controller 35 stores the decompressed image data in the framememory area of the buffer memory 36 and also displays the decompressedimage data on the LCD 6.

[0071] Additionally, the compression/decompression circuit and memorycontroller 35 manages the recording of the data to the memory card 24and the timing for inputting and outputting data to storing thedecompressed data to the buffer memory 36.

[0072] In addition, the compression/decompression circuit and memorycontroller 35 has a built-in timer circuit and backup batteries, whichare not shown FIG. 4, for recording date and time information when theimages are shot in the shot image recording area of the memory card 24as header information (i.e. date and time data is added to the shotimage data recorded in the shot image recording area of the memory card24).

[0073] The microphone 8 inputs sound information and supplies the soundinformation to a sound processing circuit 42 (sound IC). The sound IC 42digitizes the sound information supplied to it and outputs the digitizedsound information to the CPU 39.

[0074] The CPU 39 records the sound data in a sound recording area ofthe memory card 24 after temporarily storing it in the data area ofbuffer memory 36 after the sound data has been digitized and compressed.At this time, the data indicating the recording date and time isrecorded as the header information of the sound data in the soundrecording area of the memory card 24.

[0075] The sound IC 42 converts the sound data supplied from the CPU 39into analog signals and the analog sound signals are output to thespeaker 5.

[0076] Furthermore, when a specified position of the touch tablet 6A ispressed by pen-type pointing member 41 such as a pen or a stylus thatthe user operates, the CPU 39 reads an X-Y coordinate of the position ofthe touch tablet 6A that was pressed and accumulates the coordinate data(such as line-drawing information which will be described later) forstorage into the data area of the buffer memory 36. In addition, CPU 39causes the coordinate data accumulated in the buffer memory 36 to berecorded into a line-drawing information recording area of the memorycard 24 with header information indicating the date and/or time of theline-drawing information.

[0077] The CPU 39 receives and properly processes signals received fromvarious operation switches 40, such as the power switch 11, the zoombutton 15 or sound recording switch 12.

[0078] The CPU 39 controls a strobe driving circuit 37 to appropriatelyactuate the strobe or flash 4. In addition, CPU 39 controls an AFdriving circuit 30 to move a first lens 3A, that is a component of theshooting lens 3, for automatic focus operations. The CPU 39 alsocontrols a zoom driving circuit 43 in response to the operation of thezoom button 15 to change the focal length of the shooting lens 3 bymoving a second lens 3B that is a component of the shooting lens 3.

[0079] Moreover, if the image stored in the memory card 24 is beingdisplayed on the LCD 6, the CPU 39 facilitates changes in themagnification of the displayed image displayed by enlarging or reducingthe image in response to the operation of the zoom button 15.

[0080] For enlarging the image, the CPU 39 creates an enlarged image byinterpolating values of pixels of the enlarged image from the values ofeach pixel of the original image stored in the frame memory area of thebuffer memory 36 and stores the enlarged image in the frame memory area.In contrast, for reducing the image, the CPU 39 creates a reduced imageby reducing specified pixels from the original image stored in the framememory area of the buffer memory 36 and stores the reduced image in theframe memory area.

[0081] In this case, when the previously recorded image is beingdisplayed, the CPU 39 does not change the focal length of the shootingimage 3 even if the zoom button 15 is actuated.

[0082] Next, various operations of the electronic camera 1 of thepresent invention is explained. First, shooting the object using thepresent invention is described.

[0083] An example where the continuous shooting mode changing switch 13is positioned in the S mode, i.e., the mode that shoots only 1 frame, isexplained. First, electricity is supplied to power the electronic camera1 by switching the power switch 11 shown in FIG. 1 to the “ON” state.Then, shooting the object is commenced when the object is confirmedthrough the viewfinder 2 and the release switch 10 is pressed.

[0084] The optical image of the object observed by the viewfinder 2 iscollected by the shooting lens 3 and is formed onto the CCD 20 that hasa plurality of pixels. The optical image of the object formed on the CCD20 is photoelectrically converted to electrical image signals at eachpixel and sampled by the CDS 31. The electrical image signals sampled bythe CDS 31 are supplied to the A/D converting circuit 32, digitized andoutput to the DSP 33.

[0085] The DSP 33 outputs the image data to the data area of the buffermemory 36. Then, the compression/decompression circuit and memorycontroller 35 reads the image data from the buffer memory 36 andcompresses the image data in accordance with the JPEG (JointPhotographic Experts Group) format in which discrete cosine conversion,quantization and Huffman encoding are combined. Then, the DSP 33 recordsthe image data in the shot image recording area of the memory card 24.At this time, the data indicating the date and/or time of shooting theimage is recorded as header information of the shot image data in theshot image data recording area of the memory card 24. Compressiontechniques other than the JPEG techniques could be used as analternative.

[0086] When the continuous shooting mode changing switch 13 is in the Smode, shooting only one frame is performed, and shooting is notperformed thereafter even if the release switch 10 is continuouslypressed. Additionally, if the release switch 10 is continuously pressed,the shot image is displayed on the LCD 6.

[0087] Second, an example in which the continuous shooting mode switch13 positioned in the L mode, i.e., the mode that continuously shoots 8frames in one second, is described. When electricity is supplied topower the electronic camera 1 by switching the power switch 11 to the“ON” state and when the release switch 10 is pressed, shooting of theobject is commenced.

[0088] Light from the object observed through the viewfinder 2 iscollected by the shooting lens 3 and projected onto the CCD 20. Theoptical image of the object formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectricallyconverted to electrical image signals at each pixel sampled by the CDS31 at rate of 8 times per second. In addition, at this time, the CDS 31reduces the electric signals of the image corresponding to ¾ (threequarters) of the pixels among the electric signals of the pixels fromthe CCD 20.

[0089] In other words, the CDS 31 divides the pixels of the CCD 20 thatare arranged in a shape of a matrix into areas with each area composedof an array of 2×2 pixels (4 pixels) as shown in FIG. 5. Then, an imagesignal of one pixel located at the specified position is sampled, andthe remaining three pixels are skipped.

[0090] For example, at the time of a first sampling, a pixel “a” at theleft upper position in each area is sampled and the other pixels “b”,“c” and “d” are skipped. At the time of a second sampling, the pixel “b”at right upper position in each area is sampled, and the other pixels“a”, “c” and “d” are skipped. Thereafter, at the time of the third andfourth samplings, the left lower pixel “c” and the right lower pixel “d”are sampled, respectively, and the other pixels are skipped. That is,each pixel is sampled in every four frames.

[0091] The image signals sampled by the CDS 31 (image signals of ¼ (onequarter) of the total pixels of the CCD 20) are supplied to the A/Dconversion circuit 32, and output to the DSP 33 as digitized.

[0092] The DSP 33 outputs the digitized image signals to the data areaof the buffer memory 36 and the compression/decompression circuit andmemory controller 35 reads out the image signals and, after compressingthe image signals by the JPEG method, records the digitized andcompressed shot image data in the shot image recording area of thememory card 24. At this time, date and time are recorded as the headerinformation of the shot image data in the shot image recording area ofthe memory card 24.

[0093] Third, an example in which the continuous shooting mode changingswitch 13 is positioned in the H mode, i.e., the mode in which 30 framesof images are continuously shot in one second, is explained. After thepower is supplied to power the electronic camera 1 by switching thepower switch 11 to the “ON” state and when the release switch 10 ispressed, shooting of the object is started.

[0094] Light from the object observed through the viewfinder 2 iscollected by the shooting lens 3 and projected onto the CCD 20. Theoptical image of the object formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectricallyconverted to electrical image signals at each pixel and sampled by theCDS 31 at a rate of 30 times per second. In addition, at this time, theCDS 31 reduces the electrical signals of the images that correspond to{fraction (8/9)} (eight/ninths) of the pixels among the electric signalsof the image from the CCD 20.

[0095] In other words, the CDS 31 divides the pixels of the CCD 20arranged in a matrix shape into individual areas, each of which iscomposed of 3×3 pixels as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the electrical imagesignals of one pixel which is arranged at a specified position withineach matrix are sampled at a rate of 30 times per second and theremaining eight pixels are skipped.

[0096] For example, at the first sampling, the left upper pixel “a” ineach area is sampled, and the other pixels “b” to “i” are skipped. Then,at the second sampling, the pixel “b” arranged to the right of the pixel“a” is sampled, and the other pixel “a” and pixels “c” to “i” areskipped. Thereafter, at the sampling after a third time, each of pixels“c” through “i” is sampled, and the other pixels are skipped. That is,each pixel is sampled every 9 frames.

[0097] The image signals sampled by the CDS 31 (image signals of pixelsthat are {fraction (1/9)} of the total pixels of the CCD 20) aresupplied to the A/D converter circuit 32, at which the image signals aredigitized and output to the DSP 33.

[0098] The DSP 33 outputs the digitized image signals to the data areaof the buffer memory 36. The compression/decompression circuit andmemory controller 35 reads the image signals and, after compressing theimage data in accordance with the JPEG method, records the digitized andcompressed shot image data in the shot image recording area of thememory card 24 with the header information containing the shot dateand/or time.

[0099] In addition, the strobe 4 can be operated to illuminate light tothe object, if necessary.

[0100] Next, operations for inputting two-dimensional pen inputinformation using the touch tablet 6A are explained.

[0101] When the touch tablet 6A is pressed with a tip of the pen-typepointing member 41 (hereinafter referred to as pen), an X-Y coordinateof the contacted location is input into the CPU 39. The X-Y coordinateis recorded in the data area of the buffer memory 36. In addition, datacan be written at locations corresponding to each point of the X-Ycoordinates in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 36 to displaya line-drawing on the LCD 6 corresponding to the contact points made bythe pen 41 onto the touch tablet 6A.

[0102] As described above, because the touch tablet 6A is is fabricatedfrom a transparent material, the user can observe on the LCD 6 the pointat a location pressed by the tip of the pen 41 so that the user feels asif the user directly input the point using the pen 41 on the LCD 6.Moreover, if the pen 41 is moved on the touch tablet 6A, a lineaccording to the movement of the pen 41 is displayed on the LCD 6.Furthermore, if the pen 41 is intermittently moved on the touch tablet6A, a broken line is displayed on the LCD 6. As described above, theuser can input desired line-drawing information, such as characters andfigures, on the touch tablet 6A for display on the LCD 6.

[0103] In addition, if the line-drawing information is input by the pen41 when an image is displayed on the LCD 6, the line-drawing informationincludes the shot image information in the frame memory area of thebuffer memory 37 and is simultaneously displayed on the LCD 6.

[0104] The user can select colors, such as black, white, red or blue, ofthe line-drawing information displayed on the LCD 6 by controlling acolor selection switch (not shown).

[0105] After inputting the line-drawing information to the touch tablet6A by the pen 41 and when the execution key 7B of the operation keys 7is pressed, the line-drawing information accumulated in the data area ofthe buffer memory 36 is supplied to the memory card 24 with the headerinformation of the input date (and/or time) and recorded in line-drawinginformation recording area of the memory card 24.

[0106] In addition, the line-drawing information that is recorded in thememory card 24 can be compressed. Because the line-drawing informationinput to the touch tablet 6A includes information having a high spatialfrequency, if the JPEG compression method were to be used, thecompression efficiency would not be satisfactory. Moreover, the timerequired for compressing and decompressing the information is long: Inaddition, compression using the JPEG method is irreversible and is thusnot appropriate for compressing small amounts of line-drawinginformation. This is because when the data is decompressed and displayedon the LCD 6, imperfections such as gathering, blurring and the likebecome prominent.

[0107] In the present embodiment, the line-drawing information iscompressed by a run-length method that is used in facsimile machines andthe like. The run-length method is a method which compresses theline-drawing information by horizontally scanning the line-drawingscreen and coding continuous lengths of information, i.e., points, ineach color, such as black, white, red and blue, and continuous lengthswhere there is no pen input.

[0108] By using this run-length method, the line-drawing information iscompressed to a minimum, and even when the compressed line-drawinginformation is decompressed, imperfections of information can bereduced. In addition, when the amount of line-drawing information isrelatively small, it can be designated that the line-drawing informationis not to be compressed.

[0109] Moreover, as described above, when the shot image is displayed onthe LCD 6 and if the pen input is executed, the shot image data and theline-drawing information input by the pen 41 are combined in the framememory area of the buffer memory 36, and the combined image of the shotimage and line-drawing is displayed on the LCD 6. On the other hand, inthe memory card 24, the shot image data is recorded in the shot imagerecording areas and the line-drawing information is recorded in theline-drawing information recording area. As described, because two setsof information can be separately recorded in different areas, the usercan delete any one of the images from the combined image of the shotimage and line-drawing. In addition, each image data can be compressedby different compression methods.

[0110] When data is recorded in the sound recording area, shot imagerecording area, and/or line-drawing information recording area in thememory card 24, a specified display can be performed on the LCD 6 asshown in FIG. 7.

[0111] On the display screen of the LCD 6 shown in FIG. 7, recordingdate information 50 which, in this case, is Aug. 25, 1995, is displayedin a lower part of the screen and recording time information 51, such as10:05, is displayed at a leftmost portion of the display screen.

[0112] On a right side of the recording time information 51, thumbnailimages 52 are displayed. The thumbnail images 52 are minimized images ofthe shot image data recorded in the memory card 24 which were created byreducing bitmap data of each. image data. Therefore, the informationwith such display is information that includes shot image files. Thatis, image information is included in the information recorded at “10:16”and “10:21,” and no image information is included in the informationrecorded at “10:05”, “10:28”, “10:54” or “13:10.”

[0113] Moreover, a memo symbol 53 is shown as an “*” and indicates thata predetermined memo is recorded as line-drawing information.

[0114] Furthermore, on the right of the display areas of the thumbnailimages 52, sound information bars 54 are horizontally displayed. Each ofthe bars has a specified length corresponding to a length of timeassociated with the sound recording. When no sound information isrecorded, a sound information bar does not appear.

[0115] The user selects and designates the information on the LCD 6shown in FIG. 7 to be displayed by pressing any portion of the displayedline of the desired information with the tip of the pen 41. The selectedinformation is displayed (or played in the event the sound informationbar is selected) by pressing the execution key 7B shown in FIG. 2,preferably with the tip of the pen 41.

[0116] For instance, when the line located next to “10:05” shown in FIG.7 is pressed by the pen 41, the CPU 39 reads the sound datacorresponding to the selected recording time, i.e., 10:05, from thememory card 24 and supplies it to the sound processing circuit 42 afterdecompressing the sound data. The sound processing circuit 42 plays thesound through the speaker 5 after converting the supplied sound datainto analog signals.

[0117] When the shot image data recorded in the memory card 24 isdisplayed, the user selects the information of the shot image data bypressing a desired thumbnail image with the tip of the pen 41 and thenthe selected information is displayed by pressing the execution key 7B.

[0118] The CPU 39 instructs the compression/decompression circuit andmemory controller 35 to read the shot image data corresponding to theselected shot data from the memory card 24. Then, thecompression/decompression circuit and memory controller 35 decompressesthe compressed shot image data from the memory card 24, stores the shotimage data in the frame memory area of the buffer memory 36 as bitmapdata, and displays the shot image data on the LCD 6.

[0119] The images shot in the S mode are displayed on the LCD 6 as stillimages. Therefore, these still images are images in which image signalsof the total number of pixels of the CCD 20 are displayed.

[0120] The images shot at the L mode are continuously displayed on theLCD 6 at a rate of 8 frames per second. At this time, the number ofpixels displayed in each frame is ¼ of the total number of pixels of theCCD 20.

[0121] Normally, because human eyes sensitively react to degradation ofresolutions of still images, reducing the pixels of still images can benoticed by the user as a degradation of picture quality. However, whenthe speed of the continuous shooting of the images increases, and whenthe images which are shot at the rate of 8 frames per second at the Lmode and played on the LCD 6 at the rate of 8 frames per second, eventhough the number of pixels in each frame is reduced to ¼ of the totalnumber of pixels of the CCD 20, the amount of information which entersthe human eye in one second increases twofold compared to still images.This is because human eyes view the images at the rate of 8 frames persecond.

[0122] In other words, assuming the number of pixels of one frame of theimage shot at the S mode as 1, the number of pixels in one frame of theimage shot at the L mode becomes ¼. When the image shot at the S mode(still image) is displayed on the LCD 6, the amount of information thatenters the human eye in one second is equal to the number of pixelstimes the number of frames or 1×1. In contrast, when the image shot atthe L mode is displayed on the LCD 6, the amount of information thatenters the human eye in one second becomes the number of pixels timesthe number of frames or ¼×8. Thus, twice as much information as thestill images enters the human eye. Therefore, the user can view theplayed images without sensing the degradation of picture quality at thetime of playing images even if the number of pixels in one frame isreduced to ¼.

[0123] Furthermore, in the present invention, because pixels that aredifferent in each frame are sampled and because the sampled images aredisplayed on the LCD 6, an “after-image” effect occurs to the humaneyes. Even when ¾ of the pixels per frame are skipped, the user can viewthe images shot at the L mode displayed on the LCD 6 without sensing thedegradation of picture quality.

[0124] Moreover, the images shot in the H mode are continuouslydisplayed on the LCD 6 at the rate of 30 frames per second. At thistime, although the number of pixels displayed in each frame is {fraction(1/9)} of the total number of pixels of the CCD 20, the user can viewthe images shot in the H mode displayed on the LCD 6 without sensing thedegradation of picture quality for the same reason as in the L mode.

[0125] In the present invention, because the CDS 31 reduces the pixelsof the CCD 20 at a level in which the user does not sense thedegradation of picture quality at the time of displaying the imagespreviously shot in the L mode or H mode, the load on thecompression/decompression circuit and memory controller 35 can bereduced. Thus, the DSP 33 and the compression/decompression circuit andmemory controller 35 can be operated at low speed and low powerconsumption. In addition, by doing this, the electronic camera can beproduced at a low cost, and have a low power consumption capability.

[0126] If the zoom button 15 is operated while a previously recordedimage is being displayed on the LCD 6, the displayed image can beenlarged or reduced. In addition, the magnification of the displayedimage can be continuously adjusted in response to the actuation of thezoom button 15.

[0127] In the present invention, date and time data is added as headerinformation to each type of information or data that is recorded in thememory card 24, as described above. The user then can select desiredinformation from the date and/or time data displayed on the LCD 6 andthen display the data (FIG. 7).

[0128] In addition, when a plurality of information such as shot image,sound and line-drawing are input simultaneously, each item ofinformation is recorded separately in specified areas of the memory card24. However, the header information having the same date and/or time isadded to each item of information.

[0129] For example, when information A, i.e., shot image, information B,i.e., sound, and information Cv i.e., line-drawing, are simultaneouslyinput, each item of the informations A, B and C that are recorded inspecified areas of the memory card 24 have the same header informationof date and/or time data. Moreover, the header information ofinformation A can be set as the date input data, and the headerinformation of the other items of informations B and C can be set asdata that relates to information A.

[0130] By accomplishing this, the simultaneously input information isdisplayed (or played, when sound is previously recorded) at the sametime when displaying previously recorded images.

[0131] In addition, in the present invention, after recording firstinformation (e.g. shot image), second information (e.g. line-drawing),which is different from the first information, can be recorded while thesecond information is being added to the first information. Asdescribed, if the second information is added to the first information,the second information is input while the first information is beingdisplayed (or played). A detailed explanation of this feature isdescribed hereafter.

[0132] For example, if the release switch 10 is pressed to commenceshooting the object and when previously recorded sound information thathas been recorded in advance is being played, header information of thepreviously sound recorded information is recorded and added to the shotimage data. The shot image data is recorded in the shot image recordingarea of the memory card 24.

[0133] For instance, during a replay of the sound information which wasrecorded at 10:05 on Aug. 25, 1995, if the shooting is performed afterone minute passes from the commencement of playing the sound information(i.e. when the play data is 10:06 on Aug. 25, 1995), the headerinformation at 10:06 on Aug. 25; 1995 can be added to the shot imagedata which is recorded in the shot image recording areas of the memorycard 24. However, either one of these times, i.e., 10:05 or 10:06, canbe used as the header information. Each time could be used as a defaultand the user could select which time is to be used as the default.

[0134] Similarly, when the previously recorded sound information isplayed, and if the line-drawing information is input, the same headerinformation as the header information of the recording date for thesound information is recorded with the line-drawing information in theline-drawing information recording area of the memory card 24.

[0135] When the sound information and shot image information which werepreviously input at the same time are being played and displayedrespectively, and if the line-draw information is input, the same headerinformation as the header information of the recording date (and/ortime) for the sound information or shot image information is recordedwith the line-drawing information in the line-drawing informationrecording areas of the memory card 24.

[0136] If the shot image information is input while the soundinformation and the line-drawing information which were previously inputat the same time are being played and displayed, respectively, the sameheader information as the header information of the recording date(and/or time) for the sound information or the line-drawing informationis recorded with the shot image data in the shot image recording area ofthe memory card 24.

[0137] While the shot image information that was previously input isbeing played, if the sound information is input, the same headerinformation as the header information of recording date (and time) forthe shot image information is recorded with the sound information in thesound information recording area of the memory card 24.

[0138] If the line-drawing information is input when the shot imageinformation that was previously input is being played, the same headerinformation as the header information of the recording date (and/ortime) for the shot image information is recorded in the line-drawingrecording area of the memory card 24.

[0139] If the sound information is input when the shot image informationand line-drawing information that were previously input are beingdisplayed, the same header information as the header information of therecording date (and/or time) for the shot image information orline-drawing information is recorded with the sound information in thesound recording area of the memory card 24.

[0140] If the shot image information is input while the line-drawinginformation that was previously input is being displayed, the sameheader information as the header information of the recording date(and/or time) for the line-drawing information is recorded with the shotimage information in the shot image recording area of the memory card24.

[0141] If the sound information is input while the line-drawinginformation that was previously input is being displayed, the sameheader information as the header information of the recording date(and/or time) for the line-drawing information is recorded with thesound information in the sound recording area of the memory card 24.

[0142] As described above, if the second information is input while thefirst information that was previously recorded is beingplayed/displayed, the recording date for the first information becomesthe header information of the second information (hereafter callednormal mode). By doing so, even if new information is added later, therelationship between the original information and the additionalinformation can be maintained.

[0143] Moreover, in the present invention, when the second informationis added to the first information that has been previously recorded, notonly the input time of the second information is recorded as the headerinformation of the second information, but also the header informationof the first information can be replaced with the header information ofthe second information (hereafter referred as recording time changingmode). In this case, a mode changing switch for the recording time (notshown in the figures) can be provided to the electronic camera 1 tochange the recording time with the selection by the user for changingbetween the normal mode and recording time changing mode.

[0144] For instance, if the user is planning to shoot a specific objectat a later time, but if the user records comments of the shot image inadvance as the line-drawing information (i.e. the line-drawinginformation is the first information), the above recording time modechanging switch is switched to the recording time changing mode and theobject is shot while displaying the recorded line-drawing information(i.e. the shot image is the second information). Then, the input date ofthe shot image (second information) is added as the header informationto both the line-drawing information (first information) and the shotimage (second information).

[0145] In addition, priorities can be added to the information to beinput, and the header information of the input time can be added to eachitem of information in response to the priorities.

[0146] For example, where the priorities for the shot image, soundinformation and the line-drawing information are designated as first,second and third, respectively and if the sound information is inputwhile the line-drawing information that has been previously recorded,the header information including the input time of the sound informationis added to both line-drawing information and the sound information thatare recorded to the memory card 24 because the priority of the soundinformation is, for example, higher than that of the line-drawinginformation. In addition, if the shot image is input while the soundinformation and the line-drawing information are being played anddisplayed respectively, the header information including the input timeof the shot image is added to the line-drawing information, the soundinformation and the shot image which are recorded in the memory card 24because the priority of the shot image is higher than that of the otherinformation. These priorities can be set by the user.

[0147] Next, recording the sound information while shooting the objectis explained.

[0148] First, the operation that occurs when the continuous shootingmode changing switch 13 is switched to the S mode (single shooting mode)is described. When the sound recording switch 12 is pressed, the inputof the sound information is performed and the header information of therecording starting date and/or time is recorded with the soundinformation in the sound information recording area of the memory card24. Then, if the release switch 10 is pressed during the input of thesound information, the object is shot for one frame and the shot imagedata thereof is recorded in the memory card 24. The header informationof the date and/or time, i.e., shot starting time, when the releaseswitch 10 is pressed is added to the shot image data.

[0149] On the other hand, if the release button 10 is pressed first, theobject is shot for one frame. At this time, the date and/or time ofshooting the object is recorded as the header information in the shotimage data that is recorded in the memory card 24. Moreover, if therelease button 10 is continuously pressed, the shot image is displayedon the LCD 6. Additionally, at this time, if the sound recording switch12 is pressed, the sound information is inputted. At this time, the dateof shooting is added as the header information in the sound datainformation that is recorded in the sound information recording area ofthe memory card 24.

[0150] Next, the continuous shooting mode changing switch 13 switched tothe L mode or the H mode (the continuous shooting modes) is described.When the release switch 10 is pressed first, and then the soundrecording switch 12 is pressed, and when the release switch and thesound recording switch 12 are pressed at the same time, the shot imageinformation and the sound information are recorded as follows.

[0151] When the continuous shooting mode changing switch 13 is in the Lmode, 8 frames of the image are shot in one second, and the headerinformation of the time when each frame is shot is added to the shotimage information of each frame that is recorded in the shot imagerecording area of the memory card 24. Therefore, time with intervals of0.125 seconds is recorded in the header information of each frame. Inaddition, at this time, the sound information, although inputcontinuously, is recorded every 0.125 seconds and the header informationof the time with the intervals of 0.125 seconds is recorded to the soundinformation that is recorded in the sound information recording area ofthe memory card 24, as well.

[0152] Similarly, where the continuous shooting mode changing switch 13is changed to the H mode, shooting of 30 frames per second is performedand the header information of the date on which each frame is shot isadded to the shot image data of each frame which is recorded in the shotimage recording area of the memory cad 24. Therefore, time withintervals of {fraction (1/30)} seconds is recorded to the headerinformation of each frame. In addition, at this time, the soundinformation, although input continuously, is recorded every {fraction(1/30)} of a second, and the header information of time with intervalsof {fraction (1/30)} seconds is recorded also to the sound informationwhich is recorded to the sound information recording area of the memorycard 24.

[0153] By accomplishing the above process, when the shot imageinformation or the sound information are edited after recording, if anyshot images are deleted, the sound information which has the same headerinformation as that of the shot images can also be deleted.

[0154] On the other hand, when the continuous shooting mode changingswitch 13 is changed to the L mode or the H mode, and if the soundrecording switch 12 is pressed and then the release switch 10 ispressed, the header information is recorded to the memory card 24.

[0155] In other words, in this case, the sound information that wasrecorded when the release switch 10 was pressed is recorded as one filein the sound information recording area of the memory card 24.Thereafter, if the release switch 10 is pressed, the header informationof time corresponding to each frame of the shot image information isrecorded with the sound information.

[0156] As described above, in the electronic camera 1 of the presentinvention, images, sounds, line-drawing information and the like arerecorded. Then, when the zoom button 15 is actuated, the focal length ofthe shooting lens 3 is changed at the time of shooting objects orsubjects, and in response, the magnification of the displayed imagechanges. Therefore, the magnification of the reproduced image changes atthe time of shooting the objects or subjects.

[0157] In the above embodiment, by actuating the zoom button 15 at thetime of shooting the object, the focal length of the shooting lens 3 ischanged to optically change the magnification of the shot images.However, as an alternative, the magnification of the shot image can beelectronically (i.e., digitally) changed in response to the actuation ofthe zoom button 15. This can be done by interpolating (to enlarge) orskipping or thinning (to reduce) the image data supplied by the CCD 20.

[0158] Next, a second embodiment of the electronic camera of the presentinvention is described.

[0159] The second embodiment has the same structure as the firstembodiment, which uses the touch tablet 6A and the same operations asthe above operations to enlarge or reduce the displayed images, as wellas changing the focal length of the shooting lens 3 at the time ofshooting the objects. In addition, at the time of displaying the images,portions of the displayed images to be enlarged can be selected by usingthe touch tablet 6A.

[0160] Next, the operations of the second embodiment of the presentinvention when enlarging or reducing the displayed images by using thetouch tablet 6A are described.

[0161] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the tip of the pen 41 presses ona dragging starting point “a” of the touch tablet 6A disposed over theLCD 6 when a specified image is displayed on the LCD 6. The pen tip isdragged while pressing against touch tablet 6A to a dragging endingpoint “b”.

[0162] The CPU 39 receives from the touch tablet 6A a coordinate valueof the dragging starting point “a” and the dragging ending point “b” andcalculates a distance of dragging from the dragging starting point “a”to the dragging ending point “b” and an angle “x”. Angle “x” is an angleformed between an imaginary horizontal line and a straight line formedbetween the dragging starting point “a” and the dragging ending point“b” as shown in FIG. 8. Then, if angle “x” is within a scope of a tableof specified angles stored in the memory card 24, the image is enlargedat a magnification proportional to the distance of the dragging suchthat the dragging starting point “a” is displayed at the center of theLCD 6 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0163] Conversely, as shown in FIG. 10, when the tip of the pen 41 isdragged from a dragging starting point “c” to a dragging ending point“d” towards the center of the LCD 6, the CPU 39 calculates the distanceand the angle of the dragging as described above. If the direction ofthe dragging is within the scope of the specified angles, the image isreduced proportionally to the distance of the dragging length. Thedragging starting point “c” is displayed at the center of the LCD 6 asshown in FIG. 11.

[0164] Moreover, a preset background 72 is displayed in the margins ofthe LCD 6 which is created from reducing the image. In addition, whenreducing the image, a centering button 71 is displayed on a top portionof the reduced image. If the button 71 is pressed with the pen 41, thecenter of the image is repositioned at the center of the LCD 6, and theentire reduced image is displayed substantially centrally of the LCD 6as shown in FIG. 12.

[0165] Next, the corresponding relationships between the direction ofthe dragging by the pen 41, and enlargement and reduction of thedisplayed image are described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0166] First, the touch tablet 6A covering the LCD 6 is divided intofour areas “A” through “D” which are an upper right area, a lower rightarea, an upper left area, and a lower left area. Then, as shown in FIG.13A, if the dragging starting point “a” is in area A, and if thedirection of the dragging is within a range between 0 degrees to 90degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at the dragging starting point“a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6 and enlarges the image ata magnification corresponding to the distance of the dragging.Conversely, if the dragging starting point “a” is in area A, and if thedirection of the dragging is within a range between 180 degrees and 270degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at the dragging starting point“a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6 and reduces the image ata reduction corresponding to the distance of the dragging.

[0167] Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, if the dragging starting point is inarea B, and if the direction of dragging is within a scope between 0degrees and 270 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at the draggingstarting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6 andenlarges the image at a magnification corresponding to the distance ofthe dragging. Conversely, if the dragging starting point “a” is in areaB and if the direction of the dragging is within a range of 90 degreesand 180 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at the draggingstarting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6 andreduces the image at a reduction corresponding to the distance of thedragging.

[0168] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13C, if the dragging starting point“a” is in area C, and if the direction of dragging is within a rangebetween 90 degrees and 180 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image atthe dragging starting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD6 and enlarges the image at a magnification corresponding to thedistance of the dragging. Conversely, if the dragging starting point “a”is in area C, and if the direction of the dragging is within a rangebetween 0 degrees and 270 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image atthe dragging starting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD6 and reduces the image at a reduction corresponding to the distance ofthe dragging.

[0169] Then, as shown in FIG. 13D, if the dragging starting point “a” isin area D, and if the direction of dragging is within a range between180 degrees and 270 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at thedragging starting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6and enlarges the image at a magnification corresponding to the distanceof the dragging. Conversely, if the dragging starting point “a” is inarea D and if the direction of the dragging is within a range between 0degrees and 90 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at the draggingstarting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6 andreduces the image at a reduction corresponding to the distance of thedragging.

[0170] Moreover, if the direction of the dragging is not within therange set as described above, the enlargement or reduction of the imageis not performed.

[0171] Or, the corresponding relationships between the direction of thedragging by the pen 41 and the enlargement and reduction of thedisplayed image can be set as described in FIG. 14. First, the touchtablet 6A covering the LCD 6 is divided into four areas A through Dwhich are right upper area, right lower area, left upper area, and leftlower area.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 14A, if the dragging starting point “a” is inarea A and if the direction of the dragging is within a range between 0degrees and 135 degrees or between 0 degrees and 315 degrees, the CPU 39designates the image at the dragging starting point “a” to be displayedat the center of the LCD 6 and enlarges the image at a magnificationcorresponding to the distance of the dragging. Conversely, if thedragging starting point “a” is in area A and if the direction of thedragging is within a range between 135 degrees and 180 degrees orbetween 180 degrees and 315 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image atthe dragging starting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD6 and reduces the image at a reduction corresponding to the draggingdistance.

[0173] Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, if the dragging starting point “a” isin area B, and if the direction of the dragging is within a rangebetween 0 degrees and 45 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at thedragging starting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6and enlarges the image at the magnification corresponding to thedistance of the dragging. Conversely, if the dragging starting point “a”is in area B, and if the direction of the dragging is within a rangebetween 45 degrees and 180 degrees or 180 degrees and 225 degrees, theCPU 29 designates the image at the dragging starting point “a” to bedisplayed at the center of the LCD 6 and reduces the image at areduction corresponding to the dragging distance.

[0174] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14C, if the dragging starting point“a” is in the area C, and if the direction of the dragging is within arange between 45 degrees and 180 degrees or 180 degrees and 225 degrees,the CPU 39 designates the image at the dragging starting point “a” to bedisplayed at the center of the LCD 6 and enlarges the image at amagnification corresponding to the distance of the dragging. Conversely,if the dragging starting point “a” is in area C, and if the direction ofthe dragging is within a range between 0 degrees and 45 or 0 degrees and225 degrees, the CPU 29 designates the image at the dragging startingpoint “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6 and reduces theimage at a reduction corresponding to the dragging distance.

[0175] Then, as shown in FIG. 14D, if the dragging starting point “a” isin the area D, and if the direction of the dragging is within a rangebetween 135 degrees and 180 degrees and 180 degrees and 315 degrees, theCPU 39 designates the image at the dragging starting point “a” to bedisplayed at the center of the LCD 6 and enlarges the image at amagnification corresponding to the distance of the dragging. Conversely,if the dragging starting point “a” is in area D and if the direction ofthe dragging is within a range between 0 degrees and 135 degrees and 0degrees and 315 degrees, the CPU 39 designates the image at the draggingstarting point “a” to be displayed at the center of the LCD 6 andreduces the image at a reduction corresponding to the dragging distance.

[0176] By performing the above operations, desired portions in thedisplayed image can be enlarged. In addition, the enlarged or reducedimage can be returned to its original size by touching any point on thetouch tablet 6A two consecutive times by the pen 41.

[0177] Next, explanation is made for the operations of the secondembodiment of the present invention when changing the focal length ofthe shooting lens 3 by using the touch tablet 6A at the time of shootingthe object.

[0178] At the time of shooting the object, the CPU 39 detects thedistance and the direction of the dragging on the touch tablet 6A in thesame manner as the operations for changing the magnifications of thereproduced image described above. Then, the CPU 39 determines thedirection for changing the focal length according to the direction ofthe dragging and changes the focal length of the shooting lens 3 inresponse to the distance of the dragging.

[0179] The corresponding relationships between the direction of thedragging and the direction for changing the focal length is set in thesame manner as the corresponding relationships between the direction ofthe dragging and the direction for changing the size of the displayedimage at the time of displaying the previously recorded image (FIG. 13and FIG. 14). In other words, when the same operations as those forenlarging the displayed image at the time of displaying the previouslyrecorded image are performed for the touch tablet 6A at the time ofshooting the image, the CPU 39 controls the zoom driving circuit 43 toincrease the focal length of the shooting lens 3. Conversely, when thesame operations as those for reducing the displayed image at the time ofdisplaying the previously recorded image are performed, the CPU 39controls the zoom driving circuit 43 to reduce the focal length of theshooting lens 3.

[0180] In addition, when displaying the previously recorded image, theimage at the dragging starting point is displayed at the center of theLCD 6. However, when shooting the object, only the focal length of theshooting lens is changed.

[0181] Moreover, when the focal length becomes longer than the presetupper limit as a result of operations for the touch tablet 6A, the CPU39 changes to digital zooming after moving the second lens 3B (that is acomponent of the shooting lens 3) to its upper limit value of the focallength, and performs signal processing on the image signals of theoptically received image by the CCD 20. Then, by electronically changingthe magnification of the image of the object, the image of the object isenlarged at a magnification corresponding to an amount which exceeds theupper limit value of the focal length and is displayed on the LCD 6.

[0182] On the other hand, if the focal length becomes shorter than thepreset lower limit value as a result of the operations for the touchtablet 6A, the CPU 39 moves the second lens 3B such that the focallength becomes the lower limit value. At this time, no specialoperations are performed for reducing the image of the object using thedigital zoom.

[0183] As described above, in the electronic camera of the secondembodiment of the present invention, if the zoom button 15 is operatedin the same way as the first embodiment, the focal length of theshooting lens 3 can be changed and, in response thereto, the size of thedisplayed image is changed at the time of shooting the image. Operationof the zoom button 15 also changes the size of the previously recordedimage at the time of displaying such an image. Then, by using the touchtablet 6A, the focal length of the shooting lens 3 at the time ofshooting the object can be changed and the size of the displayed imageat the time of displaying the image can also be changed.

[0184] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present invention,when the focal length becomes longer than the preset upper value as aresult of operating the touch tablet 6A, the CPU 39 changes to thedigital zoom after the second lens 3B is moved its upper limit of focallength. However, the structure can be made so that only the second lens3B is movable to change the focal length to the upper limit value. Thus,the digital zoom can be eliminated from the present invention. In thiscase, the image of the object to be displayed on the LCD 6 could not beenlarged beyond magnification higher than when the focal length is atthe upper limit value.

[0185] In the above embodiments, an explanation was provided for anelectronic camera in which the focal length of a shooting lens 3, alsoknown as a zoom lens, can be changed. However, the present inventionalso is applicable to electronic cameras that have a single focusinglens with a fixed focal length and that rely on a digital zoom process,for example, as described in the second embodiment, to change themagnification of the image of the object during shooting of the objectby actuating a zoom button 15 or a touch tablet 6A.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing device comprising:light collecting means for collecting light from an object;photoelectric conversion means for receiving light from the objectcollected by said light collecting means and converting the collectedlight into electric signals representative of the object; memory meansfor storing image data representative of objects; display means fordisplaying images of the object corresponding to the electric signalsconverted by said photoelectric conversion means and for displayingimages corresponding to the image data stored in said memory means;operating means, actuable by a user of the device, for enabling the userto specify that the image displayed on the display means is to bezoomed; and zooming means, responsive to said operating means, forchanging the magnification of the image displayed on said display meansregardless of whether the displayed image is supplied from saidphotoelectric conversion means or from said memory means.
 2. Theinformation processing device claimed in claim 1 , wherein said zoomingmeans interpolates pixel values of said displayed image to enlarge saiddisplayed image.
 3. The information processing device claimed in claim 1, wherein said zooming means changes the magnification of the image ofthe object converted into electric signals by said photoelectricconversion means without changing a focal length of said lightcollecting means.
 4. The information processing device claimed in claim1 , wherein said zooming means changes the magnification of the image ofthe object converted into electric signals by said photoelectricconversion means by changing a focal length of said light collectingmeans.
 5. The information processing device claimed in claim 1 , whereinsaid device is an electronic camera.
 6. The information processingdevice claimed in claim 1 , wherein said operating means is a singlemember that is operable by the user.
 7. The information processingdevice claimed in claim 1 , wherein said operating means includes atouch tablet.
 8. An information processing device comprising: a shootinglens assembly that collects light from an object; a photoelectricconversion element that receives light from the object collected by saidshooting lens assembly and converts the collected light into electricsignals representative of the object; a memory that stores image datarepresentative of objects; a display screen coupled to saidphotoelectric conversion element and to said memory to display images ofthe object corresponding to the electrical signals converted by saidphotoelectric conversion element or images corresponding to the imagedata stored in said memory; a zoom designation device that is operableby a user to specify a change in the magnification of the imagedisplayed on said display screen; and a controller, coupled to saiddisplay screen and to said zoom designation device, and responsive tothe zoom designation device to change the magnification of the imagedisplayed on said display screen regardless of whether the displayedimage is supplied from said photoelectric conversion element or fromsaid memory.
 9. The information processing device claimed in claim 8 ,wherein said controller interpolates pixel values of said displayedimage to magnify the displayed image.
 10. The information processingdevice claimed in claim 8 , wherein said controller changes themagnification of the images of the object converted into electricsignals by said photoelectric conversion element without changing afocal length of said shooting lens assembly.
 11. The informationprocessing device claimed in claim 8 , wherein said controller changesthe magnification of the image of the object converted into electricsignals by said photoelectric conversion element by changing a focallength of said shooting lens assembly.
 12. The information processingdevice claimed in claim 8 , wherein said zoom designation device is asingle member that is operable by the user.
 13. The informationprocessing device claimed in claim 8 , wherein said zoom designationdevice includes a touch tablet.
 14. A digital electronic cameracomprising: a shooting lens assembly that collects light from an object;a photoelectric conversion element that receives light from the objectcollected by said shooting lens assembly and converts the collectedlight into electric signals representative of the object; a memory thatstores image data representative of objects; a display screen coupled tosaid photoelectric conversion element and to said memory to displayimages of the object corresponding to the electric signals converted bysaid photoelectric conversion element or images corresponding to theimage data stored in said memory; a zoom designation device that isoperable by a user to specify a change in the magnification of the imagedisplayed on said display screen; and a controller, coupled to saiddisplay screen and to said zoom designation device, and responsive tothe zoom designation device to change the magnification of the imagedisplayed on said display screen regardless of whether the displayedimage is supplied from said photoelectric conversion element or fromsaid memory.
 15. The digital electronic camera claimed in claim 14 ,wherein said controller interpolates pixel values of said displayedimage to magnify the displayed image.
 16. The digital electronic cameraclaimed in claim 14 , wherein said controller changes the magnificationof the images of the object converted into electric signals by saidphotoelectric conversion element without changing a focal length of saidshooting lens assembly.
 17. The digital electronic camera claimed inclaim 14 , wherein said controller changes the magnification of theimage of the object converted into electronic signals by saidphotoelectric conversion element by changing a focal length of saidshooting lens assembly.
 18. The digital electronic camera claimed inclaim 14 , wherein said zoom designation device is a single member thatis operable by the user.
 19. The digital electronic camera claimed inclaim 14 , wherein said zoom designation device includes a touch screenoperative to generate data signals for processing by said controller.20. The digital electronic camera claimed in claim 19 , wherein touchinga first point on said touch screen input device and moving to a secondpoint on said touch screen input device while maintaining contact withsaid touch screen input device to form a line between the first pointand the second point causes the displayed image to either be magnifiedor reduced to a size relative to a distance between the first and secondpoints and an angle formed relative to an imaginary horizontal line andthe straight line.
 21. The digital electronic camera claimed in claim 20, wherein, when the displayed image is magnified, the first point iscentrally disposed within the display screen.
 22. The digital electroniccamera claimed in claim 20 , wherein said touch screen includes acentering region disposed on the display screen when the displayed imageis reduced and, touching the centering region causes the reduced displayimage to appear centrally within the display screen.